Undergraduate Students
Are you interested in undergraduate research in behavioral ecology?
A small group of undergraduates conduct research in my laboratory each year. To be accepted into the lab, you need the following:
- Abundant enthusiasm and a passionate interest in discovering why animals behave the way that they do. Read about my primary research interests and scan through some of the papers that have been published from my lab; if these light your fire, then you might be a good candidate for research in my lab. If not, I encourage you to look at the research interests of other Biology faculty--you are likely to find someone in the department whose research will excite you.
- Time to devote to hands-on research and reading the primary literature. If you are struggling with your classes, working at a job for long hours, or are already involved in lots of extracurricular activities, undergraduate research may not be for you. It's best if you have at least two semesters to devote to your project--don't wait until your last semester.
- A basic background in Biology. Ideally, students will have completed 3-4 semesters of Biology courses; a course in Ecology is recommended.
- A particular interest in studying fish and salamanders. Exceptions are occasionally made, but my lab is best equipped for these species.
How do you become involved?
Make an appointment to talk with me. Be prepared to tell me why you are interested in research in my lab, describe your background, and convince me that you have the required time and passion that are required (above).
Undergraduate research projects
| Student | Research Topic | Conference Presentations | Journal Articles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Baker | Undecided | ||
| Sarah White | The effects of habitat on antipredator responses in a conflicting odor landscape |
URD 2019 SGA Undergrad Research Presenstions 2019 MHA 2018 |
|
| Jami Baker | Response of Southern red-backed salamander to temporally-separated predators | ||
| Kenzie Medley | Dear Enemy behavior in Southern Red-backed Salamanders |
Undergraduate Research Day 2017 ASIH 2017 |
|
| Katy Gardner | Embryonic learning in Spotted Salamanders |
Missouri Herpetological Association 2016 Animal Behavior Society 2017 |
|
| Paige Farmer | Influence of tail autotomy on mate choice in Plethodon | Animal Behavior Society 2016 | |
| Kendell Loyd | Learning in Plethodon | ||
| Tom Radomski | Cannibalism in larval Ambystoma | ||
| Eric Green | Cannibalism in larval Ambystoma | ||
| Dana Green | Cannibalism in larval Ambystoma | ||
| Whitney Heuring |
Aggression in larval Ambystoma Landmark learning in in juvenile Ambystoma |
Animal Behavior Society | Behavioral Processes 108:173-176 |
| Courtney Heuring |
Aggression in larval Ambystoma Embryonic learning in snails |
Missouri Herpetological Association | |
| Michael Lampe | Detection of earthworm alarm cues by Plethodon | Missouri Herpetological Association |
Ethology, Ecology, & Evolution DOI:10.1080/03949370.2013.800162 |
| Megan Smith | Dear enemy recognition in Plethodon | Missouri Herpetological Association | |
| Michael L. Moore | Hatching of Ambystoma eggs following embryonic exposures | ||
| Erin Murray | Antipredator behavior of Ambystoma following embryonic exposures | ||
| Valerie Jones | Increased blood flow to gills in response to predator cues in Ambystoma | Missouri Herpetological Association | |
| John Lisek | Glochidia parasites and darter behavior | Missouri Herpetological Association | |
| Eric Britzke | Plethodon dorsalis aggression |
Frontiers in Zoology 1(1):76. DOI: 10.1186/s12983-014-0076-7 Herpetologica 55:344-352 |
|
| Kyle Shull | Effects of stress on metabolism in Plethodon | ||
| Carly McGrane | Salamander recognition of armadillos by Plethodon |
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 66:811-817 International Journal of Ecology 2012 DOI:10.1155/2012/658437 |
|
| Laura Sanders | Learned habitat avoidance in Plethodon | ||
| Matthew Lewis | Predator recognition by shiners: visual cues | ||
| Dave Schmidt | Territoriality in in Plethodon | The American Midland Naturalist 143:245-249 | |
| Johnny Shelley | Habitat selection under predation risk in darters | ||
| Dan Rippetoe | Alarm cues of Eurycea | Southwestern Association of Naturalists | |
| Kelly Wells | Antipredator behavior of larval ringed salamanders | ||
| Kevin Murray | Predator recognition my larval ringed salamanders | Animal Behavior Society | Ethology 109:159-170 |
| Amy Commens | Alarm pheromones of darters | Animal Behavior Society | Journal of Fish Biology 55:1359-1362 |
| Michael Anderson | Diet of tropical salamanders | Journal of Herpetology 33:601-607 | |
| Misty Summey | Alarm pheromones of tropical tadpoles | Herpetologica 54:402-408 | |
| Krista Deckard | Aggression/chemical communication by Plethodon serratus | Prairie State Ecology Conclave | Southwest Naturalist 40:1-5 |
| Shelley Grow | Natural history of three species of tropical frogs | Missouri Herpetological Association | |
| Jeff Johnson | Aggression by long-eared sunfish | ||
| Rodney Morgan | Larval newt skin histology | ||
| Frank Vincent | Predator recognition by larval newts |
Animal Behavior Society Joint meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists |
Canadian Journal of Zoology 78:1646-1652 |
| Cherie Gelowitz | Population differences in response to predation risk | Ecological and Evolutionary Ethology of Fishes | Behaviour 127:105-118 |